US20240079624A1 - Bio-electrochemical fuel cell - Google Patents
Bio-electrochemical fuel cell Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20240079624A1 US20240079624A1 US17/939,504 US202217939504A US2024079624A1 US 20240079624 A1 US20240079624 A1 US 20240079624A1 US 202217939504 A US202217939504 A US 202217939504A US 2024079624 A1 US2024079624 A1 US 2024079624A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fuel cell
- endplate
- carbon
- anode
- cathode
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 135
- 230000000243 photosynthetic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 76
- 102000004190 Enzymes Human genes 0.000 claims description 63
- 108090000790 Enzymes Proteins 0.000 claims description 63
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 33
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 30
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 18
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000003575 carbonaceous material Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 102000019197 Superoxide Dismutase Human genes 0.000 claims description 10
- 108010012715 Superoxide dismutase Proteins 0.000 claims description 10
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 108010015428 Bilirubin oxidase Proteins 0.000 claims description 7
- 102000016938 Catalase Human genes 0.000 claims description 7
- 108010053835 Catalase Proteins 0.000 claims description 7
- 241000192700 Cyanobacteria Species 0.000 claims description 7
- GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titan oxide Chemical compound O=[Ti]=O GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 241000195628 Chlorophyta Species 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002041 carbon nanotube Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910021393 carbon nanotube Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium;oxotin Chemical compound [In].[Sn]=O AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910001887 tin oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- XOLBLPGZBRYERU-UHFFFAOYSA-N tin dioxide Chemical compound O=[Sn]=O XOLBLPGZBRYERU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002079 double walled nanotube Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002048 multi walled nanotube Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002109 single walled nanotube Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 241000191368 Chlorobi Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 102000000634 Cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV Human genes 0.000 claims description 3
- 108090000365 Cytochrome-c oxidases Proteins 0.000 claims description 3
- 108010029541 Laccase Proteins 0.000 claims description 3
- 102000003992 Peroxidases Human genes 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002134 carbon nanofiber Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910021389 graphene Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 108040007629 peroxidase activity proteins Proteins 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004408 titanium dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000003915 cell function Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 17
- 239000002551 biofuel Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 7
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc monoxide Chemical compound [Zn]=O XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 6
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000029553 photosynthesis Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010672 photosynthesis Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 4
- 108010093096 Immobilized Enzymes Proteins 0.000 description 3
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 3
- -1 hydrogen ions Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 229910052738 indium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- APFVFJFRJDLVQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium atom Chemical compound [In] APFVFJFRJDLVQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000693 micelle Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011787 zinc oxide Substances 0.000 description 3
- JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N AsGa Chemical compound [As]#[Ga] JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920001661 Chitosan Polymers 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Gallium Chemical compound [Ga] GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003487 electrochemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052733 gallium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- HZXMRANICFIONG-UHFFFAOYSA-N gallium phosphide Chemical compound [Ga]#P HZXMRANICFIONG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 150000004676 glycans Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910044991 metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001282 polysaccharide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005017 polysaccharide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- QNRATNLHPGXHMA-XZHTYLCXSA-N (r)-(6-ethoxyquinolin-4-yl)-[(2s,4s,5r)-5-ethyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-yl]methanol;hydrochloride Chemical compound Cl.C([C@H]([C@H](C1)CC)C2)CN1[C@@H]2[C@H](O)C1=CC=NC2=CC=C(OCC)C=C21 QNRATNLHPGXHMA-XZHTYLCXSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FHVDTGUDJYJELY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 6-{[2-carboxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(phosphanyloxy)oxan-3-yl]oxy}-4,5-dihydroxy-3-phosphanyloxane-2-carboxylic acid Chemical compound O1C(C(O)=O)C(P)C(O)C(O)C1OC1C(C(O)=O)OC(OP)C(O)C1O FHVDTGUDJYJELY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000589218 Acetobacteraceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920001817 Agar Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000936 Agarose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910000980 Aluminium gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920000856 Amylose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron Chemical compound [B] ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron nitride Chemical compound N#B PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000131971 Bradyrhizobiaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004966 Carbon aerogel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002101 Chitin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 102000008186 Collagen Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108010035532 Collagen Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241001600130 Comamonadaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910005540 GaP Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001218 Gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 241000206672 Gelidium Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000191917 Hyphomicrobiaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241001430267 Rhodobacteraceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000253387 Rhodobiaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001277912 Rhodocyclaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000131970 Rhodospirillaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- DZLPZFLXRVRDAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N [O--].[O--].[O--].[O--].[Al+3].[Zn++].[In+3] Chemical compound [O--].[O--].[O--].[O--].[Al+3].[Zn++].[In+3] DZLPZFLXRVRDAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000013543 active substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004964 aerogel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010419 agar Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229940072056 alginate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 235000010443 alginic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920000615 alginic acid Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052787 antimony Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- WATWJIUSRGPENY-UHFFFAOYSA-N antimony atom Chemical compound [Sb] WATWJIUSRGPENY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052785 arsenic Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RQNWIZPPADIBDY-UHFFFAOYSA-N arsenic atom Chemical compound [As] RQNWIZPPADIBDY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003190 augmentative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001588 bifunctional effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052796 boron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920001525 carrageenan Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000010418 carrageenan Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910000420 cerium oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001436 collagen Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004205 dimethyl polysiloxane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003574 free electron Substances 0.000 description 1
- YZZNJYQZJKSEER-UHFFFAOYSA-N gallium tin Chemical compound [Ga].[Sn] YZZNJYQZJKSEER-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052732 germanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GNPVGFCGXDBREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N germanium atom Chemical compound [Ge] GNPVGFCGXDBREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021397 glassy carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000001165 hydrophobic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000003100 immobilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- HRHKULZDDYWVBE-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium;oxozinc;tin Chemical compound [In].[Sn].[Zn]=O HRHKULZDDYWVBE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N mercury Chemical compound [Hg] QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052753 mercury Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052976 metal sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- NCPHGZWGGANCAY-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane;ruthenium Chemical compound C.[Ru] NCPHGZWGGANCAY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- CWQXQMHSOZUFJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N molybdenum disulfide Chemical compound S=[Mo]=S CWQXQMHSOZUFJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002105 nanoparticle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000015097 nutrients Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036542 oxidative stress Effects 0.000 description 1
- BMMGVYCKOGBVEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxo(oxoceriooxy)cerium Chemical compound [Ce]=O.O=[Ce]=O BMMGVYCKOGBVEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000435 poly(dimethylsiloxane) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002851 polycationic polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000027756 respiratory electron transport chain Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- SKRWFPLZQAAQSU-UHFFFAOYSA-N stibanylidynetin;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Sn].[Sb] SKRWFPLZQAAQSU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- OGIDPMRJRNCKJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N titanium oxide Inorganic materials [Ti]=O OGIDPMRJRNCKJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000003623 transition metal compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 description 1
- YVTHLONGBIQYBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N zinc indium(3+) oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O--].[Zn++].[In+3] YVTHLONGBIQYBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/16—Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
- H01M4/90—Selection of catalytic material
- H01M4/9016—Oxides, hydroxides or oxygenated metallic salts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
- H01M4/90—Selection of catalytic material
- H01M4/92—Metals of platinum group
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
- H01M4/96—Carbon-based electrodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
- H01M2004/8678—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells characterised by the polarity
- H01M2004/8684—Negative electrodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
- H01M2004/8678—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells characterised by the polarity
- H01M2004/8689—Positive electrodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
- H01M2250/30—Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Definitions
- the present disclosure is directed to a cell, and particularly to a bio-electrochemical fuel cell.
- a biofuel cell is an electrochemical device in which energy derived from chemical reactions is converted to electrical energy by means of catalytic activities of living cells or by corresponding enzymes.
- a bioanode is the electrode of the biofuel cell where electrons are released upon the oxidation of a fuel and a biocathode is the electrode where electrons and protons from the anode are used by the catalyst to reduce oxygen to water.
- Biofuel cells differ from a traditional fuel cell by a material used to catalyze an electrochemical reaction. Rather than using metals as catalysts, biofuel cells use biological molecules such as enzymes to carry out the electrochemical reaction.
- biofuel cells generally use complex molecules to generate the hydrogen ions required to reduce oxygen to water, while generating free electrons for use in electrical applications. Furthermore, current biofuel cells are complex and economically inefficient. Hence, an efficient biofuel cell needs to be developed, which may substantially reduce or eliminate the aforementioned limitations.
- one objective of the present disclosure is to provide a bio-electrochemical fuel cell using photosynthetic microorganisms and having a hexagonal planar structure with a cylindrical reaction chamber in the center.
- the fuel cell maybe used in a wearable electronic device as a battery.
- a bio-electrochemical fuel cell in an exemplary embodiment, includes an anode, a cathode, a first endplate including a central aperture.
- the fuel cell further includes a second endplate opposite the first endplate.
- the second endplate includes a central aperture.
- the fuel cell further includes a supporting plate between the first endplate and the second endplate.
- the supporting plate includes a central aperture.
- the fuel cell further includes at least one separator plate provided between the first endplate and the cathode.
- the fuel cell further includes at least one separator plate provided between the second endplate and the anode.
- the fuel cell further includes at least one separator plate provided on each side of the supporting plate.
- the anode is placed between the second endplate and the supporting plate.
- the cathode is placed between the first endplate and the supporting plate.
- the anode has a first layer including at least one selected from the group consisting of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme.
- a biofilm including photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of the first layer of the anode.
- the anode, the cathode, the first endplate, the supporting plate, the second endplate and the separator plates are connected together to form a fuel cell assembly.
- the central aperture of the first endplate receives a flow of water containing the photosynthetic microorganisms.
- the central aperture of the second endplate discharges the flow of water.
- Application of light to the fuel cell assembly causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at the anode and induces a photo-current in the anode.
- the fuel cell has a planar structure.
- the fuel cell has a hexagonal shape, a reaction chamber having an average interior diameter in a range of 6-200 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-400 cm.
- the reaction chamber has an average interior diameter in a range of 6-150 cm and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-300 cm.
- the separator plate is a transparent silicone rubber gasket material.
- the anode includes a conductive transparent glass coated with at least one selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, indium tin oxide, titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof.
- the anode includes a conductive transparent glass coated with the indium tin oxide.
- the cathode includes a carbon material or platinum.
- the carbon material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, reduced graphene oxide, graphite, carbon felt, carbon foam, carbon paper, carbon brush, carbon cloth, carbon black, carbon powder, carbon nanofibers, carbon fiber, single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanotube arrays, diamond-coated conductors, glass carbon, mesoporous carbon, uncompressed graphite worms, delaminated purified flake graphite, polycrystalline graphite, and pyrolytic graphite.
- the cathode includes at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of laccase, cytochrome C oxidase, superoxide dismutase, bilirubin oxidase, and peroxidase.
- the cathode has a layer of bilirubin oxidase.
- the photosynthetic microorganism is at least one selected from the group consisting of a diatom, a phytoplankton, green algae, cyanobacteria, and green sulfur bacteria.
- the photosynthetic microorganisms are green algae and cyanobacteria.
- a wearable device includes the fuel cell, in which the fuel cell is electrically connected to a sensor and functions as a battery.
- a light-emitting diode device includes the fuel cell, in which the fuel cell is electrically connected to a light-emitting diode and functions as a battery.
- a fuel cell assembly includes 2 to 10 of the fuel cells which are connected in parallel and/or in series.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a bio-electrochemical fuel cell, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the bio-electrochemical fuel cell of FIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a working mechanism of the bio-electrochemical fuel cell, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the terms “approximately,” “approximate,” “about,” and similar terms generally refer to ranges that include the identified value within a margin of 20%, 10%, or preferably 5%, and any values there between.
- the present disclosure relates to a bio-electrochemical fuel cell, which includes an anode with a layer of enzymes and a biofilm with photosynthetic microorganisms present on a surface of the layer of the anode.
- the bio-electrochemical fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode, a first endplate including a central aperture, a second endplate opposite the first endplate, the second endplate including a central aperture, a supporting plate between the first endplate and the second endplate, and the supporting plate including a central aperture.
- At least one separator plate is provided between the first endplate and the cathode. At least one separator plate is provided between the second endplate and the anode. At least one separator plate is provided on each side of the supporting plate.
- the anode is preferably disposed between the second endplate and the supporting plate and the cathode is preferably disposed between the first endplate and the supporting plate.
- the anode comprises an electron conductor, at least one anode enzyme, and an enzyme immobilization material.
- the electron conductor is a substance that conducts electrons.
- the anode enzyme is capable of reacting with a fuel fluid to produce an oxidized form of the fuel fluid, and capable of releasing electrons to the electron conductor.
- the enzyme immobilization material is capable of immobilizing and stabilizing the enzyme and is permeable to the fuel fluid.
- the electron conductor can be organic or inorganic in nature as long as it is able to conduct electrons through the material.
- the electron conductor can be a carbon-based material, stainless steel, stainless steel mesh, a metallic conductor, a semiconductor, a metal oxide, or a modified conductor.
- the electron conductor is a carbon based material.
- Particularly suitable electron conductors are carbon-based materials.
- Exemplary carbon-based materials are carbon cloth, carbon paper, carbon screen printed electrodes, carbon paper (Toray), carbon paper (ELAT), carbon black (Vulcan XC-72, E-tek), carbon black, carbon powder, carbon fiber, single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanotubes arrays, diamond-coated conductors, glassy carbon and mesoporous carbon.
- exemplary carbon-based materials are graphite, uncompressed graphite worms, delaminated purified flake graphite (Superior R graphite), high performance graphite and carbon powders (Formula BTTM, Superior(R) graphite), highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, pyrolytic graphite and polycrystalline graphite.
- a preferred electron conductor is a sheet of carbon cloth.
- the electron conductor can be made of a metallic conductor. Suitable electron conductors can be prepared from gold, platinum, iron, nickel, copper, silver, stainless steel, mercury, tungsten, and other metals suitable for electrode construction.
- electron conductors which are metallic conductors can be constructed of nanoparticles made of cobalt, carbon, and other suitable metals. Other metallic electron conductors can be silver-plated nickel screen printed electrodes.
- the electron conductor can be a semiconductor. Suitable semiconductor materials include silicon and germanium, which can be doped with other elements. The semiconductors can be doped with phosphorus, boron, gallium, arsenic, indium or antimony, or a combination thereof. Other electron conductors can be metal oxides, metal sulfides, main group compounds (i.e., transition metal compounds), and materials modified with electron conductors.
- Exemplary electron conductors of this type are nanoporous titanium oxide, tin oxide coated glass, cerium oxide particles, molybdenum sulfide, boron nitride nanotubes, aerogels modified with a conductive material such as carbon, solgels modified with conductive material such as carbon, ruthenium carbon aerogels, and mesoporous silicas modified with a conductive material such as carbon.
- the electron conductor is a carbon cloth, a carbon nanotube, an expanded graphite worm, a carbon paste, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the electron conductor is a carbon nanotube.
- the anode has a first layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme.
- an enzyme immobilization material is utilized in the biofuel cell at the bioanode and/or the biocathode.
- the bioanode's enzyme immobilization material is permeable to the fuel fluid and immobilizes and stabilizes the enzyme.
- the immobilization material is permeable to the fuel fluid so the oxidation reaction of the fuel at the bioanode can be catalyzed by the immobilized enzyme.
- An immobilized enzyme is an enzyme that is physically confined in a certain region of the enzyme immobilization material while retaining its catalytic activity.
- methods for enzyme immobilization including carrier-binding, cross-linking and entrapping.
- Carrier-binding is the binding of enzymes to water-insoluble carriers.
- Cross-linking is the intermolecular cross-linking of enzymes by bifunctional or multifunctional reagents.
- Entrapping is incorporating enzymes into the lattices of a semipermeable material. The particular method of enzyme immobilization is not critically important, so long as the enzyme immobilization material (1) immobilizes the enzyme, (2) stabilizes the enzyme, and (3) is permeable to the fuel fluid or oxidant.
- the material is permeable to a compound that is smaller than an enzyme.
- the enzyme immobilization material allows the movement of the fuel fluid or oxidant compound through it so the compound can contact the enzyme.
- the enzyme immobilization material can be prepared in a manner such that it contains internal pores, channels, openings or a combination thereof, which allow the movement of the compound throughout the enzyme immobilization material, but which constrain the enzyme to substantially the same space within the enzyme immobilization material. Such constraint allows the enzyme to retain its catalytic activity.
- the enzyme is confined to a space that is substantially the same size and shape as the enzyme, wherein the enzyme retains substantially all of its catalytic activity.
- the pores, channels, or openings have physical dimensions that satisfy the above requirements and depend on the size and shape of the specific enzyme to be immobilized.
- the enzyme is preferably located within a pore of the enzyme immobilization material and the compound travels in and out of the enzyme immobilization material through transport channels.
- the relative size of the pores and transport channels can be such that a pore is large enough to immobilize an enzyme, but the transport channels are too small for the enzyme to travel through them.
- a transport channel preferably has a diameter of at least about 10 nm.
- the pore diameter to transport channel diameter ratio is at least about 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 3.5:1, 4:1, 4.5:1, 5:1, 5.5:1, 6:1, 6.5:1, 7:1, 7.5:1, 8:1, 8.5:1, 9:1. 9.5:1, 10:1 or more.
- a transport channel has a diameter of at least about 10 nm and the pore diameter to transport channel diameter ratio is at least about 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 3.5:1, 4:1, 4.5:1, 5:1, 5.5:1, 6:1, 6.5:1, 7:1, 7.5:1, 8:1, 8.5:1, 9:1, 9.5:1, 10:1 or more.
- the immobilization material preferably, stabilizes the enzyme so that the enzyme retains its catalytic activity for at least about 7 days to about 730 days. The retention of catalytic activity is defined by the number of days that the enzyme retains at least about 75% of its initial activity while continually producing electricity as part of a biofuel cell.
- the immobilized enzyme retains at least about 75% of its initial catalytic activity for at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330, 365, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 730 days or more, preferably retaining at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more of its initial catalytic activity for at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330, 365, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 730 days or more.
- the enzyme immobilization material has a micellar or inverted micellar structure.
- the molecules making up a micelle are amphipathic, meaning they contain a polar, hydrophilic group and a non polar, hydrophobic group.
- the molecules can aggregate to form a micelle, where the polar groups are on the surface of the aggregate and the hydrocarbon, nonpolar groups are sequestered inside the aggregate.
- Inverted micelles have the opposite orientation of polar groups and nonpolar groups.
- micellar or inverted micellar enzyme immobilization materials are, hydrophobically modified polysaccharides, these polysaccharides are selected from chitosan, collagen, carrageenans, agarose, cellulose, chitin, starch, amylose, alginate, and combinations thereof.
- the micellar or inverted micellar enzyme immobilization materials are polycationic polymers, particularly, hydrophobically modified chitosan.
- a biofilm comprising photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of the first layer of the anode.
- the anode, the cathode, the first endplate, the supporting plate, the second endplate and the separator plates are connected together to form a fuel cell assembly.
- the central aperture of the first endplate receives a flow of water containing the photosynthetic microorganisms and the central aperture of the second endplate discharges the flow of water.
- application of light to the fuel cell assembly causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at the anode and induces a photo-current in the anode.
- the fuel cell has a planar structure, for example the fuel cell is flat and has a hexagonal form.
- the fuel cell has a reaction chamber having an average interior diameter in a range of 6-200 cm, preferably 6-150 cm, preferably 6-130 cm, preferably 6-100 cm, preferably 6-80 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-400 cm, preferably 10-350 cm, preferably 10-330 cm, preferably 10-300 cm, preferably 10-250 cm, preferably 10-200 cm, preferably 10-150 cm, preferably 10-120 cm, preferably 10-100 cm.
- the reaction chamber has an average interior diameter in a range of 6-150 cm, preferably 6-70 cm, preferably 6-65 cm, preferably 6-60 cm, preferably 6-55 cm, preferably 6-50 cm, preferably 6-45 cm, preferably 6-40 cm, preferably 6-35 cm, preferably 6-30 cm, preferably 6-25 cm, preferably 6-20 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-300 cm, preferably 10-80 cm, preferably 10-70 cm, preferably 10-65 cm, preferably 10-60 cm, preferably 10-55 cm, preferably 10-50 cm, preferably 10-45 cm, preferably 10-40 cm, preferably 10-35 cm.
- the reaction chamber can have a volume of at least 1 mL to 1 L or more, preferably at least 10 mL to 1 L or more, preferably 50 mL to 1 L or more.
- the separator plate is a transparent silicone rubber gasket material.
- the transparent silicone rubber gasket material comprises polydimethylsiloxane or polydiethylsiloxane.
- the silicone rubber gasket material may have an average thickness in a range of 1.5 to 10 mm, preferably 1.5 to 8 mm, preferably 1.5 to 6 mm, preferably 1.5 to 4 mm.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a bio-electrochemical fuel cell 100 .
- the fuel cell 100 has a planar structure.
- the planar structure of the fuel cell 100 provides an efficient and a simple assembling of the fuel cell 100 .
- the fuel cell 100 may have a non-planar structure.
- an outside of the fuel cell 100 has a hexagon structure.
- the outside of the fuel cell 100 may have, but are not limited to, a circular structure, an oval structure, a triangular structure, and any other polygonal structures known in the art.
- the fuel cell 100 may be made of materials including, but not limited to, one or more of a glass, a quartz, a plastic, copper, aluminum, nickel, iron, and steel. In some embodiments, the fuel cell 100 may be manufactured using a three-dimensional (3D) printing process.
- the fuel cell 100 includes an anode 106 .
- the anode 106 has a first layer 107 including at least one selected from the group consisting of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme.
- a biofilm including photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of the first layer 107 of the anode 106 .
- photosynthetic microorganisms are at least one selected from the group consisting of as a diatom, a phytoplankton, green algae, cyanobacteria, and green sulfur bacteria, rhodospirillaceae, acetobacteraceae, bradyrhizobiaceae, hyphomicrobiaceae, rhodobiaceae, rhodobacteraceae, rhodocyclaceae, and comamonadaceae.
- the photosynthetic microorganisms are green algae and cyanobacteria.
- the anode 106 includes a conductive transparent glass coated with at least one selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, indium tin oxide, titanium dioxide, fluorine doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, gallium-doped zinc oxide, indium zinc oxide, indium zinc tin oxide, indium aluminum zinc oxide, indium gallium zinc oxide, indium gallium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, and mixtures thereof.
- the anode comprises a conductive transparent glass coated with the indium tin oxide. The conductive transparent glass is placed adjacent to the second end of the fuel cell assembly. Light enters the fuel cell assembly through one or both ends of the cell.
- the anode 106 includes high light transparent capacity.
- the term ‘light transparent capacity’ refers to an ability possessed by a material to allow the incident light rays to pass through the material.
- the first layer 107 that is present on the anode 106 and is preferably directly adjacent and in physical contact with the anode 106 , functions to hold an enzyme such as a superoxide dismutase and/or a catalase.
- the layer 107 is preferably a substrate on which the enzyme is chemically or physically connected.
- the enzyme is chemically connected to the substrate by, for example, an ionic or covalent bond.
- Covalent bonding between the substrate and the enzyme may occur through one or more linker units such as —NH—, —COH—, —S—, —CO—, —CH 2 —, etc.
- the substrate on which the enzyme is bonded can be organic or inorganic.
- the substrate is a transparent or at least partially transparent polymeric material onto which the enzyme can be grafted through the linker.
- the substrate of the first layer 107 is a mesh or grid of woven organic material. The mesh or grid provides a three-dimensional surface onto which the enzyme can be connected.
- the substrate of the first layer 107 is a low density porous foam or porous membrane.
- the fuel cell 100 includes a cathode 108 .
- the cathode 108 includes a carbon material or platinum.
- the carbon material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, reduced graphene oxide, graphite, carbon felt, carbon foam, carbon paper, carbon brush, carbon cloth, carbon black, carbon powder, carbon nanofibers, carbon fiber, single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanotube arrays, diamond-coated conductors, glass carbon, mesoporous carbon, uncompressed graphite worms, delaminated purified flake graphite, polycrystalline graphite, and pyrolytic graphite.
- the carbon material may include, but is not limited to carbon screen printed electrode, high performance graphite, and highly ordered pyrolytic graphite.
- the cathode comprises an electron conductor, at least one cathode enzyme, and an enzyme immobilization material.
- the electron conductor may be any of those described previously for the electron conductor of the anode and the enzyme immobilization material may be any of those described previously for the anode.
- the cathode enzyme is capable of reacting with an oxidant to produce water, and capable of gaining electrons from the electron conductor.
- the cathode 108 includes at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of laccase, cytochrome C oxidase, superoxide dismutase, bilirubin oxidase, and peroxidase.
- the cathode 108 has a layer of bilirubin oxidase.
- the fuel cell 100 may include one or more ion selective membranes which may act as separation membranes between the anode 106 and the cathode 108 . In some embodiments, the fuel cell 100 may not include a separation membrane between the anode 106 and the cathode 108 .
- the fuel cell 100 includes a first endplate 110 including a central aperture 112 .
- the fuel cell 100 further includes a second endplate 114 opposite the first endplate 110 .
- the second endplate 114 also includes a central aperture 116 .
- the central aperture 116 of the second endplate 114 is allowed to provide high light penetration into the fuel cell 100 .
- the first and second endplates 110 , 114 may include lids.
- the lids may be hinged, pivoted, snap-fitted to the first and second endplates 110 , 114 .
- the fuel cell 100 further includes a supporting plate 118 between the first endplate 110 and the second endplate 114 .
- the supporting plate 118 includes a central aperture 120 .
- the supporting plate 118 includes an inlet 122 and an outlet 124 .
- the supporting plate 118 is configured to receive a fluid including the photosynthetic microorganisms and nutrients such as agar-agar, via the inlet 122 .
- the supporting plate 118 is configured to receive the fluid via a hose coupled to the inlet 122 .
- a pumping device may be used to pump the fluid including the photosynthetic microorganisms into the fuel cell 100 .
- the supporting plate 118 is configured to release the fluid via the outlet 124 .
- the outlet 124 may be connected with a conduit to discharge the fluid in a container which may be kept near the outlet 124 .
- the fluid is preferably provided in a continuous circulation to use the photosynthetic microorganisms for a longer duration to produce electricity at high efficiency.
- Parameters such as flow rate, pH, temperature, and concentrations of the fluid are essential for generating electricity. For instance, a power flow may be increased by decreasing the flow velocity of the fluid.
- the fuel cell 100 further includes at least one separator plate 126 provided between the first endplate 110 and the cathode 108 .
- the fuel cell 100 further includes at least one separator plate 128 provided between the second endplate 114 and the anode 106 .
- the central apertures 112 , 116 , 120 may be a rhombic shape, a rectangular shape, an oval shape, or a squarish shape.
- a reaction chamber is a volume defined by internal walls of the fuel cell 100 .
- a reaction chamber 129 has an average interior diameter in a range of 6-20 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-40 cm.
- a photo-current density obtained from the fuel cell 100 may vary in proportion to the volume of the reaction chamber. For instance, the photo-current density from about 0.1 milliwatts per cubic centimeter (mW/cm 3 ) to about 0.3 mW/cm 3 can be obtained when 10 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) cyanobacteria is placed in the fuel cell 100 .
- the fuel cell 100 further includes at least one separator plate provided on each side of the supporting plate 118 .
- the fuel cell 100 includes a first separator plate 130 provided between the supporting plate 118 and the cathode 108 and a second separator plate 132 provided between the supporting plate 118 and the anode 106 .
- the first and second separator plates 130 , 132 prevent leaks that may occur in the fuel cell environment.
- the separator plates 126 and 128 and the first and second separator plates 130 , 132 are collectively referred to as the ‘separator plates’ or individually referred to as the ‘separator plate’ unless otherwise specifically mentioned.
- the separator plate is a transparent silicone rubber gasket material.
- the anode 106 is placed between the second endplate 114 and the supporting plate 118 .
- the cathode 108 is placed between the first endplate 110 and the supporting plate 118 .
- the first endplate 110 , the supporting plate 118 , the second endplate 114 and the separator plates include a plurality of holes 136 .
- the anode 106 , the cathode 108 , the first endplate 110 , the supporting plate 118 , the second endplate 114 and the separator plates are connected together to form a fuel cell assembly 200 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the first endplate 110 , the supporting plate 118 , the second endplate 114 and the separator plates are connected together via fastening mechanisms such as nuts, bolts, threads, and snap-fits to form the fuel cell assembly 200 .
- the fuel cell assembly 200 may be coupled using a plurality of bolts and nuts.
- the fluid is received by the inlet 122 .
- the inlet 122 has an average diameter in a range of 10 to 50 mm, preferably 10 to 40 mm, preferably 10 to 30 mm, preferably 10 to 25 mm, preferably 10 to 20 mm.
- Application of the light to the fuel cell assembly 200 causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at the anode 106 and induces a photo-current in the anode 106 .
- an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of the fuel cell 100 may vary between 0.05 volts (V) and 0.3 V.
- OCV may refer to the difference of electrical potential between two terminals of a device when disconnected from a circuit.
- values of the current may be varied by changing a distance between the anode 106 and the cathode 108 .
- the present disclosure relates to a wearable device comprising the fuel cell of the first aspect.
- a wearable device having the fuel cell 100 is illustrated.
- the wearable device may include, but are not limited to, a smart ring, a smart watch, a smart wristband such as a fitness tracker, augmented reality (AR) headsets, and mixed reality (MR) headsets.
- the fuel cell 100 is electrically connected to a sensor of the wearable device. Particularly, the fuel cell 100 functions as a battery to supply enough electric power for the functioning of the sensor and hence the functioning of the wearable device.
- the present disclosure relates to an electronic device comprising the fuel cell of the first aspect.
- the light-emitting diode device may contain one or more light emitting devices containing a material selected from the group consisting of gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP), aluminium gallium arsenide phosphide (AlGaAsP), gallium phosphide (GaP), and aluminium gallium phosphide (AlGaP).
- the fuel cell 100 is electrically connected to a light-emitting diode of the light-emitting diode device.
- the fuel cell 100 functions as a battery to supply enough electric power for the functioning of the light-emitting diode and hence the functioning of the light-emitting diode device.
- a fuel cell assembly includes 2 to 10 of the fuel cells 100 which are connected in parallel and/or in series. In some embodiments, the fuel cells 100 are connected in series to achieve higher currents. In some embodiments, the fuel cells 100 are connected in parallel to form a combined fuel cell.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a working mechanism of an exemplary fuel cell 300 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the fuel cell 300 generates electricity using photosynthetic microorganisms 301 .
- An anode 302 provides longtime photo-current by destroying reactive organic species 2O ⁇ (ROS) that are released during photosynthesis.
- ROS reactive organic species 2O ⁇
- CAT Superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes
- Such enzymes maintain the continuity of an electric energy and prevent oxidative stresses from occurring in the fuel cell 300 .
- the ROS may damage photosynthetic environment (proteins and other active substances), causing loss of yield and destruction.
- the superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes break down the ROS and such damage is minimized.
- a cathode 304 is placed in the fuel cell 300 without the use of a reducing enzyme (carbon or platinum as the material).
- a reducing enzyme carbon or platinum as the material.
- bilirubin oxidase bound cathode which is an oxygen-reducing enzyme, can also be used.
- the photosynthetic microorganisms 301 are placed on the surface of the anode 302 to form a biofilm.
- Photo-current which is activated by photosynthesis by applying a light to the fuel cell 300 , is provided by direct electron transfer. The oxygen that is released with the photosynthesis on the anode surface is reduced back to the water by the cathode 304 , and the photo-current production in the fuel cell 300 is continuously maintained.
- Working mechanism of the fuel cell 100 is also similar to the working mechanism of the fuel cell 300 , which is considered as a different embodiment of the fuel cell 100 only for the illustration purpose of the present disclosure.
- the fuel cell 100 supplies continuous electricity more efficiently. Almost available photosynthetic microorganisms are used as a source of the electricity.
- the electricity produced by the fuel cell 100 can be used in biological systems or as a battery and can be used for various purposes such as for the wearable devices and light-emitting diode device.
- the fuel cell 100 includes an ergonomic structure which can be easily assembled.
- the fuel cell 100 can be connected in series to increase the power output.
- the fuel cell 100 is a high-efficient fuel cell that may come into play with a combination of several components that can be readily obtained. Furthermore, there is no separating membrane used within the fuel cell 100 for the electricity generation. Hence, the fuel cell 100 can be miniaturized or designed in large scale.
- the photo-current produced based on photosynthesis can bestored and used to power a device.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Microbiology (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- Inert Electrodes (AREA)
Abstract
A bio-electrochemical fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes an anode placed between a second endplate and a supporting plate, a cathode placed between a first endplate and the supporting plate, a separator plate provided between the first endplate and the cathode, a separator plate provided between the second endplate and the anode, and at least one separator plate provided on each side of the supporting plate. The anode has a first layer and a biofilm including photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of the first layer. A central aperture of the first endplate receives a flow of water containing the photosynthetic microorganisms and a central aperture of the second endplate discharges the flow of water. Application of light to the fuel cell assembly causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at the anode and induces a photo-current in the anode.
Description
- The present disclosure is directed to a cell, and particularly to a bio-electrochemical fuel cell.
- The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.
- A biofuel cell is an electrochemical device in which energy derived from chemical reactions is converted to electrical energy by means of catalytic activities of living cells or by corresponding enzymes. A bioanode is the electrode of the biofuel cell where electrons are released upon the oxidation of a fuel and a biocathode is the electrode where electrons and protons from the anode are used by the catalyst to reduce oxygen to water. Biofuel cells differ from a traditional fuel cell by a material used to catalyze an electrochemical reaction. Rather than using metals as catalysts, biofuel cells use biological molecules such as enzymes to carry out the electrochemical reaction.
- However, biofuel cells generally use complex molecules to generate the hydrogen ions required to reduce oxygen to water, while generating free electrons for use in electrical applications. Furthermore, current biofuel cells are complex and economically inefficient. Hence, an efficient biofuel cell needs to be developed, which may substantially reduce or eliminate the aforementioned limitations.
- In view of the forgoing, one objective of the present disclosure is to provide a bio-electrochemical fuel cell using photosynthetic microorganisms and having a hexagonal planar structure with a cylindrical reaction chamber in the center. The fuel cell maybe used in a wearable electronic device as a battery.
- In an exemplary embodiment, a bio-electrochemical fuel cell is described. The fuel cell includes an anode, a cathode, a first endplate including a central aperture. The fuel cell further includes a second endplate opposite the first endplate. The second endplate includes a central aperture. The fuel cell further includes a supporting plate between the first endplate and the second endplate. The supporting plate includes a central aperture. The fuel cell further includes at least one separator plate provided between the first endplate and the cathode. The fuel cell further includes at least one separator plate provided between the second endplate and the anode. The fuel cell further includes at least one separator plate provided on each side of the supporting plate. The anode is placed between the second endplate and the supporting plate. The cathode is placed between the first endplate and the supporting plate. The anode has a first layer including at least one selected from the group consisting of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme. A biofilm including photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of the first layer of the anode. The anode, the cathode, the first endplate, the supporting plate, the second endplate and the separator plates are connected together to form a fuel cell assembly. The central aperture of the first endplate receives a flow of water containing the photosynthetic microorganisms. The central aperture of the second endplate discharges the flow of water. Application of light to the fuel cell assembly causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at the anode and induces a photo-current in the anode.
- In some embodiments, the fuel cell has a planar structure.
- In some embodiments, the fuel cell has a hexagonal shape, a reaction chamber having an average interior diameter in a range of 6-200 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-400 cm.
- In some embodiments, the reaction chamber has an average interior diameter in a range of 6-150 cm and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-300 cm.
- In some embodiments, the separator plate is a transparent silicone rubber gasket material.
- In some embodiments, the anode includes a conductive transparent glass coated with at least one selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, indium tin oxide, titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof.
- In some embodiments, the anode includes a conductive transparent glass coated with the indium tin oxide.
- In some embodiments, the cathode includes a carbon material or platinum.
- In some embodiments, the carbon material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, reduced graphene oxide, graphite, carbon felt, carbon foam, carbon paper, carbon brush, carbon cloth, carbon black, carbon powder, carbon nanofibers, carbon fiber, single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanotube arrays, diamond-coated conductors, glass carbon, mesoporous carbon, uncompressed graphite worms, delaminated purified flake graphite, polycrystalline graphite, and pyrolytic graphite.
- In some embodiments, the cathode includes at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of laccase, cytochrome C oxidase, superoxide dismutase, bilirubin oxidase, and peroxidase.
- In some embodiments, the cathode has a layer of bilirubin oxidase.
- In some embodiments, the photosynthetic microorganism is at least one selected from the group consisting of a diatom, a phytoplankton, green algae, cyanobacteria, and green sulfur bacteria.
- In some embodiments, the photosynthetic microorganisms are green algae and cyanobacteria.
- In some embodiments, a wearable device includes the fuel cell, in which the fuel cell is electrically connected to a sensor and functions as a battery.
- In some embodiments, a light-emitting diode device includes the fuel cell, in which the fuel cell is electrically connected to a light-emitting diode and functions as a battery.
- In some embodiments, a fuel cell assembly includes 2 to 10 of the fuel cells which are connected in parallel and/or in series.
- The foregoing general description of the illustrative present disclosure and the following detailed description thereof are merely exemplary aspects of the teachings of this disclosure and are not restrictive.
- A more complete appreciation of this disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a bio-electrochemical fuel cell, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the bio-electrochemical fuel cell ofFIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure; and -
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a working mechanism of the bio-electrochemical fuel cell, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. - In the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Further, as used herein, the words “a,” “an” and the like generally carry a meaning of “one or more,” unless stated otherwise.
- Furthermore, the terms “approximately,” “approximate,” “about,” and similar terms generally refer to ranges that include the identified value within a margin of 20%, 10%, or preferably 5%, and any values there between.
- According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a bio-electrochemical fuel cell, which includes an anode with a layer of enzymes and a biofilm with photosynthetic microorganisms present on a surface of the layer of the anode.
- In an embodiment, the bio-electrochemical fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode, a first endplate including a central aperture, a second endplate opposite the first endplate, the second endplate including a central aperture, a supporting plate between the first endplate and the second endplate, and the supporting plate including a central aperture.
- At least one separator plate is provided between the first endplate and the cathode. At least one separator plate is provided between the second endplate and the anode. At least one separator plate is provided on each side of the supporting plate. The anode is preferably disposed between the second endplate and the supporting plate and the cathode is preferably disposed between the first endplate and the supporting plate.
- The anode comprises an electron conductor, at least one anode enzyme, and an enzyme immobilization material. The electron conductor is a substance that conducts electrons. The anode enzyme is capable of reacting with a fuel fluid to produce an oxidized form of the fuel fluid, and capable of releasing electrons to the electron conductor. The enzyme immobilization material is capable of immobilizing and stabilizing the enzyme and is permeable to the fuel fluid.
- The electron conductor can be organic or inorganic in nature as long as it is able to conduct electrons through the material. The electron conductor can be a carbon-based material, stainless steel, stainless steel mesh, a metallic conductor, a semiconductor, a metal oxide, or a modified conductor. In preferred embodiments, the electron conductor is a carbon based material. Particularly suitable electron conductors are carbon-based materials. Exemplary carbon-based materials are carbon cloth, carbon paper, carbon screen printed electrodes, carbon paper (Toray), carbon paper (ELAT), carbon black (Vulcan XC-72, E-tek), carbon black, carbon powder, carbon fiber, single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanotubes arrays, diamond-coated conductors, glassy carbon and mesoporous carbon. In addition, other exemplary carbon-based materials are graphite, uncompressed graphite worms, delaminated purified flake graphite (Superior R graphite), high performance graphite and carbon powders (Formula BTTM, Superior(R) graphite), highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, pyrolytic graphite and polycrystalline graphite. A preferred electron conductor (Support membrane) is a sheet of carbon cloth. In a further embodiment, the electron conductor can be made of a metallic conductor. Suitable electron conductors can be prepared from gold, platinum, iron, nickel, copper, silver, stainless steel, mercury, tungsten, and other metals suitable for electrode construction. In addition, electron conductors which are metallic conductors can be constructed of nanoparticles made of cobalt, carbon, and other suitable metals. Other metallic electron conductors can be silver-plated nickel screen printed electrodes.
- In addition, the electron conductor can be a semiconductor. Suitable semiconductor materials include silicon and germanium, which can be doped with other elements. The semiconductors can be doped with phosphorus, boron, gallium, arsenic, indium or antimony, or a combination thereof. Other electron conductors can be metal oxides, metal sulfides, main group compounds (i.e., transition metal compounds), and materials modified with electron conductors.
- Exemplary electron conductors of this type are nanoporous titanium oxide, tin oxide coated glass, cerium oxide particles, molybdenum sulfide, boron nitride nanotubes, aerogels modified with a conductive material such as carbon, solgels modified with conductive material such as carbon, ruthenium carbon aerogels, and mesoporous silicas modified with a conductive material such as carbon. In various preferred embodiments, the electron conductor is a carbon cloth, a carbon nanotube, an expanded graphite worm, a carbon paste, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the electron conductor is a carbon nanotube.
- In an embodiment, the anode has a first layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme.
- An enzyme immobilization material is utilized in the biofuel cell at the bioanode and/or the biocathode. In one embodiment, the bioanode's enzyme immobilization material is permeable to the fuel fluid and immobilizes and stabilizes the enzyme. The immobilization material is permeable to the fuel fluid so the oxidation reaction of the fuel at the bioanode can be catalyzed by the immobilized enzyme.
- An immobilized enzyme is an enzyme that is physically confined in a certain region of the enzyme immobilization material while retaining its catalytic activity. There are a variety of methods for enzyme immobilization, including carrier-binding, cross-linking and entrapping.
- Carrier-binding is the binding of enzymes to water-insoluble carriers. Cross-linking is the intermolecular cross-linking of enzymes by bifunctional or multifunctional reagents. Entrapping is incorporating enzymes into the lattices of a semipermeable material. The particular method of enzyme immobilization is not critically important, so long as the enzyme immobilization material (1) immobilizes the enzyme, (2) stabilizes the enzyme, and (3) is permeable to the fuel fluid or oxidant.
- With reference to the enzyme immobilization materials permeability to the fuel fluid or oxidant and the immobilization of the enzyme, in various embodiments, the material is permeable to a compound that is smaller than an enzyme. Stated another way, the enzyme immobilization material allows the movement of the fuel fluid or oxidant compound through it so the compound can contact the enzyme. The enzyme immobilization material can be prepared in a manner such that it contains internal pores, channels, openings or a combination thereof, which allow the movement of the compound throughout the enzyme immobilization material, but which constrain the enzyme to substantially the same space within the enzyme immobilization material. Such constraint allows the enzyme to retain its catalytic activity. In various preferred embodiments, the enzyme is confined to a space that is substantially the same size and shape as the enzyme, wherein the enzyme retains substantially all of its catalytic activity. The pores, channels, or openings have physical dimensions that satisfy the above requirements and depend on the size and shape of the specific enzyme to be immobilized.
- In various embodiments, the enzyme is preferably located within a pore of the enzyme immobilization material and the compound travels in and out of the enzyme immobilization material through transport channels. The relative size of the pores and transport channels can be such that a pore is large enough to immobilize an enzyme, but the transport channels are too small for the enzyme to travel through them. Further, a transport channel preferably has a diameter of at least about 10 nm. In still another embodiment, the pore diameter to transport channel diameter ratio is at least about 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 3.5:1, 4:1, 4.5:1, 5:1, 5.5:1, 6:1, 6.5:1, 7:1, 7.5:1, 8:1, 8.5:1, 9:1. 9.5:1, 10:1 or more. In yet another embodiment, preferably, a transport channel has a diameter of at least about 10 nm and the pore diameter to transport channel diameter ratio is at least about 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 3.5:1, 4:1, 4.5:1, 5:1, 5.5:1, 6:1, 6.5:1, 7:1, 7.5:1, 8:1, 8.5:1, 9:1, 9.5:1, 10:1 or more. In one embodiment, the immobilization material, preferably, stabilizes the enzyme so that the enzyme retains its catalytic activity for at least about 7 days to about 730 days. The retention of catalytic activity is defined by the number of days that the enzyme retains at least about 75% of its initial activity while continually producing electricity as part of a biofuel cell. In other embodiments, preferably, the immobilized enzyme retains at least about 75% of its initial catalytic activity for at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330, 365, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 730 days or more, preferably retaining at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more of its initial catalytic activity for at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330, 365, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 730 days or more. In some of the embodiments, the enzyme immobilization material has a micellar or inverted micellar structure. Generally, the molecules making up a micelle are amphipathic, meaning they contain a polar, hydrophilic group and a non polar, hydrophobic group. The molecules can aggregate to form a micelle, where the polar groups are on the surface of the aggregate and the hydrocarbon, nonpolar groups are sequestered inside the aggregate. Inverted micelles have the opposite orientation of polar groups and nonpolar groups.
- The amphipathic molecules making up the aggregate can be arranged in a variety of ways so long as the polar groups are in proximity to each other, and the nonpolar groups are in proximity to each other. Also, the molecules can form a bilayer with the nonpolar groups pointing toward each other and the polar groups pointing away from each other. Alternatively, a bilayer can form wherein the polar groups can point toward each other in the bilayer, while the nonpolar groups point away from each other. Exemplary micellar or inverted micellar enzyme immobilization materials are, hydrophobically modified polysaccharides, these polysaccharides are selected from chitosan, collagen, carrageenans, agarose, cellulose, chitin, starch, amylose, alginate, and combinations thereof. In various embodiments, the micellar or inverted micellar enzyme immobilization materials are polycationic polymers, particularly, hydrophobically modified chitosan.
- In an embodiment, a biofilm comprising photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of the first layer of the anode.
- In an embodiment, the anode, the cathode, the first endplate, the supporting plate, the second endplate and the separator plates are connected together to form a fuel cell assembly.
- In an embodiment, the central aperture of the first endplate receives a flow of water containing the photosynthetic microorganisms and the central aperture of the second endplate discharges the flow of water.
- In an embodiment, application of light to the fuel cell assembly causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at the anode and induces a photo-current in the anode.
- In an embodiment, the fuel cell has a planar structure, for example the fuel cell is flat and has a hexagonal form.
- In some embodiments, the fuel cell has a reaction chamber having an average interior diameter in a range of 6-200 cm, preferably 6-150 cm, preferably 6-130 cm, preferably 6-100 cm, preferably 6-80 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-400 cm, preferably 10-350 cm, preferably 10-330 cm, preferably 10-300 cm, preferably 10-250 cm, preferably 10-200 cm, preferably 10-150 cm, preferably 10-120 cm, preferably 10-100 cm.
- In some embodiments, the reaction chamber has an average interior diameter in a range of 6-150 cm, preferably 6-70 cm, preferably 6-65 cm, preferably 6-60 cm, preferably 6-55 cm, preferably 6-50 cm, preferably 6-45 cm, preferably 6-40 cm, preferably 6-35 cm, preferably 6-30 cm, preferably 6-25 cm, preferably 6-20 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-300 cm, preferably 10-80 cm, preferably 10-70 cm, preferably 10-65 cm, preferably 10-60 cm, preferably 10-55 cm, preferably 10-50 cm, preferably 10-45 cm, preferably 10-40 cm, preferably 10-35 cm.
- The reaction chamber can have a volume of at least 1 mL to 1 L or more, preferably at least 10 mL to 1 L or more, preferably 50 mL to 1 L or more.
- In an embodiment, the separator plate is a transparent silicone rubber gasket material. The transparent silicone rubber gasket material comprises polydimethylsiloxane or polydiethylsiloxane. The silicone rubber gasket material may have an average thickness in a range of 1.5 to 10 mm, preferably 1.5 to 8 mm, preferably 1.5 to 6 mm, preferably 1.5 to 4 mm.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of abio-electrochemical fuel cell 100. In some embodiments, thefuel cell 100 has a planar structure. Hence, the planar structure of thefuel cell 100 provides an efficient and a simple assembling of thefuel cell 100. In some embodiments, thefuel cell 100 may have a non-planar structure. In some embodiments, an outside of thefuel cell 100 has a hexagon structure. In some embodiments, the outside of thefuel cell 100 may have, but are not limited to, a circular structure, an oval structure, a triangular structure, and any other polygonal structures known in the art. In some embodiments, thefuel cell 100 may be made of materials including, but not limited to, one or more of a glass, a quartz, a plastic, copper, aluminum, nickel, iron, and steel. In some embodiments, thefuel cell 100 may be manufactured using a three-dimensional (3D) printing process. - The
fuel cell 100 includes ananode 106. Theanode 106 has afirst layer 107 including at least one selected from the group consisting of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme. A biofilm including photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of thefirst layer 107 of theanode 106. - In an embodiment, photosynthetic microorganisms are at least one selected from the group consisting of as a diatom, a phytoplankton, green algae, cyanobacteria, and green sulfur bacteria, rhodospirillaceae, acetobacteraceae, bradyrhizobiaceae, hyphomicrobiaceae, rhodobiaceae, rhodobacteraceae, rhodocyclaceae, and comamonadaceae.
- In an embodiment, the photosynthetic microorganisms are green algae and cyanobacteria.
- In some embodiments, the
anode 106 includes a conductive transparent glass coated with at least one selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, indium tin oxide, titanium dioxide, fluorine doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, gallium-doped zinc oxide, indium zinc oxide, indium zinc tin oxide, indium aluminum zinc oxide, indium gallium zinc oxide, indium gallium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, and mixtures thereof. In an embodiment, the anode comprises a conductive transparent glass coated with the indium tin oxide. The conductive transparent glass is placed adjacent to the second end of the fuel cell assembly. Light enters the fuel cell assembly through one or both ends of the cell. Theanode 106 includes high light transparent capacity. As used herein, the term ‘light transparent capacity’ refers to an ability possessed by a material to allow the incident light rays to pass through the material. Thefirst layer 107 that is present on theanode 106, and is preferably directly adjacent and in physical contact with theanode 106, functions to hold an enzyme such as a superoxide dismutase and/or a catalase. Thelayer 107 is preferably a substrate on which the enzyme is chemically or physically connected. Preferably the enzyme is chemically connected to the substrate by, for example, an ionic or covalent bond. Covalent bonding between the substrate and the enzyme may occur through one or more linker units such as —NH—, —COH—, —S—, —CO—, —CH2—, etc. The substrate on which the enzyme is bonded can be organic or inorganic. Preferably the substrate is a transparent or at least partially transparent polymeric material onto which the enzyme can be grafted through the linker. Preferably the substrate of thefirst layer 107 is a mesh or grid of woven organic material. The mesh or grid provides a three-dimensional surface onto which the enzyme can be connected. In other embodiments the substrate of thefirst layer 107 is a low density porous foam or porous membrane. - The
fuel cell 100 includes acathode 108. In some embodiments, thecathode 108 includes a carbon material or platinum. In some embodiments, the carbon material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, reduced graphene oxide, graphite, carbon felt, carbon foam, carbon paper, carbon brush, carbon cloth, carbon black, carbon powder, carbon nanofibers, carbon fiber, single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanotube arrays, diamond-coated conductors, glass carbon, mesoporous carbon, uncompressed graphite worms, delaminated purified flake graphite, polycrystalline graphite, and pyrolytic graphite. In some embodiments, the carbon material may include, but is not limited to carbon screen printed electrode, high performance graphite, and highly ordered pyrolytic graphite. - The cathode comprises an electron conductor, at least one cathode enzyme, and an enzyme immobilization material. The electron conductor may be any of those described previously for the electron conductor of the anode and the enzyme immobilization material may be any of those described previously for the anode. The cathode enzyme is capable of reacting with an oxidant to produce water, and capable of gaining electrons from the electron conductor. In some embodiments, the
cathode 108 includes at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of laccase, cytochrome C oxidase, superoxide dismutase, bilirubin oxidase, and peroxidase. In some embodiments, thecathode 108 has a layer of bilirubin oxidase. In some embodiments, thefuel cell 100 may include one or more ion selective membranes which may act as separation membranes between theanode 106 and thecathode 108. In some embodiments, thefuel cell 100 may not include a separation membrane between theanode 106 and thecathode 108. - The
fuel cell 100 includes afirst endplate 110 including acentral aperture 112. Thefuel cell 100 further includes asecond endplate 114 opposite thefirst endplate 110. Thesecond endplate 114 also includes acentral aperture 116. Furthermore, thecentral aperture 116 of thesecond endplate 114 is allowed to provide high light penetration into thefuel cell 100. In some embodiments, the first andsecond endplates second endplates fuel cell 100 further includes a supportingplate 118 between thefirst endplate 110 and thesecond endplate 114. The supportingplate 118 includes acentral aperture 120. The supportingplate 118 includes aninlet 122 and anoutlet 124. The supportingplate 118 is configured to receive a fluid including the photosynthetic microorganisms and nutrients such as agar-agar, via theinlet 122. The supportingplate 118 is configured to receive the fluid via a hose coupled to theinlet 122. In some embodiments, a pumping device may be used to pump the fluid including the photosynthetic microorganisms into thefuel cell 100. The supportingplate 118 is configured to release the fluid via theoutlet 124. Theoutlet 124 may be connected with a conduit to discharge the fluid in a container which may be kept near theoutlet 124. The fluid is preferably provided in a continuous circulation to use the photosynthetic microorganisms for a longer duration to produce electricity at high efficiency. Parameters such as flow rate, pH, temperature, and concentrations of the fluid are essential for generating electricity. For instance, a power flow may be increased by decreasing the flow velocity of the fluid. Thefuel cell 100 further includes at least oneseparator plate 126 provided between thefirst endplate 110 and thecathode 108. Thefuel cell 100 further includes at least oneseparator plate 128 provided between thesecond endplate 114 and theanode 106. - In some embodiments, the
central apertures fuel cell 100. Hereinafter, thecentral apertures first end plate 110, thesecond end plate 114, and the supportingplate 118, respectively, together define a ‘reaction chamber’ 129 (shown inFIG. 2 ), which is located in the center of thefuel cell 100. In some embodiments, areaction chamber 129 has an average interior diameter in a range of 6-20 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-40 cm. - A photo-current density obtained from the
fuel cell 100 may vary in proportion to the volume of the reaction chamber. For instance, the photo-current density from about 0.1 milliwatts per cubic centimeter (mW/cm3) to about 0.3 mW/cm3 can be obtained when 10 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) cyanobacteria is placed in thefuel cell 100. - The
fuel cell 100 further includes at least one separator plate provided on each side of the supportingplate 118. Particularly, thefuel cell 100 includes afirst separator plate 130 provided between the supportingplate 118 and thecathode 108 and asecond separator plate 132 provided between the supportingplate 118 and theanode 106. The first andsecond separator plates separator plates second separator plates - The
anode 106 is placed between thesecond endplate 114 and the supportingplate 118. Thecathode 108 is placed between thefirst endplate 110 and the supportingplate 118. Thefirst endplate 110, the supportingplate 118, thesecond endplate 114 and the separator plates include a plurality ofholes 136. Theanode 106, thecathode 108, thefirst endplate 110, the supportingplate 118, thesecond endplate 114 and the separator plates are connected together to form afuel cell assembly 200 as shown inFIG. 2 . In some embodiments, thefirst endplate 110, the supportingplate 118, thesecond endplate 114 and the separator plates are connected together via fastening mechanisms such as nuts, bolts, threads, and snap-fits to form thefuel cell assembly 200. As shown inFIG. 2 , thefuel cell assembly 200 may be coupled using a plurality of bolts and nuts. - In some embodiments, the fluid is received by the
inlet 122. - In an embodiment, the
inlet 122 has an average diameter in a range of 10 to 50 mm, preferably 10 to 40 mm, preferably 10 to 30 mm, preferably 10 to 25 mm, preferably 10 to 20 mm. - Application of the light to the
fuel cell assembly 200 causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at theanode 106 and induces a photo-current in theanode 106. - In some embodiments, sizes, operational parameters and physiological variables of the
fuel cell 100 may affect output power and voltage. In some embodiments, an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of thefuel cell 100 may vary between 0.05 volts (V) and 0.3 V. As used herein, the term OCV may refer to the difference of electrical potential between two terminals of a device when disconnected from a circuit. In some embodiments, values of the current may be varied by changing a distance between theanode 106 and thecathode 108. - According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a wearable device comprising the fuel cell of the first aspect.
- In some embodiments, a wearable device having the
fuel cell 100 is illustrated. The wearable device may include, but are not limited to, a smart ring, a smart watch, a smart wristband such as a fitness tracker, augmented reality (AR) headsets, and mixed reality (MR) headsets. Thefuel cell 100 is electrically connected to a sensor of the wearable device. Particularly, thefuel cell 100 functions as a battery to supply enough electric power for the functioning of the sensor and hence the functioning of the wearable device. - According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to an electronic device comprising the fuel cell of the first aspect.
- In some embodiments, the light-emitting diode device may contain one or more light emitting devices containing a material selected from the group consisting of gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP), aluminium gallium arsenide phosphide (AlGaAsP), gallium phosphide (GaP), and aluminium gallium phosphide (AlGaP). The
fuel cell 100 is electrically connected to a light-emitting diode of the light-emitting diode device. Thefuel cell 100 functions as a battery to supply enough electric power for the functioning of the light-emitting diode and hence the functioning of the light-emitting diode device. In some embodiments, a fuel cell assembly includes 2 to 10 of thefuel cells 100 which are connected in parallel and/or in series. In some embodiments, thefuel cells 100 are connected in series to achieve higher currents. In some embodiments, thefuel cells 100 are connected in parallel to form a combined fuel cell. - The following examples describe and demonstrate exemplary embodiments of the
fuel cell 100 described herein. The examples are provided solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present disclosure, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a working mechanism of anexemplary fuel cell 300, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thefuel cell 300 generates electricity usingphotosynthetic microorganisms 301. Ananode 302 provides longtime photo-current by destroying reactive organic species 2O− (ROS) that are released during photosynthesis. Superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes (CAT) are immobilized on an anode surface to obtain a functional electrode. Such enzymes maintain the continuity of an electric energy and prevent oxidative stresses from occurring in thefuel cell 300. The ROS may damage photosynthetic environment (proteins and other active substances), causing loss of yield and destruction. The superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes break down the ROS and such damage is minimized. - A
cathode 304 is placed in thefuel cell 300 without the use of a reducing enzyme (carbon or platinum as the material). In addition, bilirubin oxidase bound cathode, which is an oxygen-reducing enzyme, can also be used. Thephotosynthetic microorganisms 301 are placed on the surface of theanode 302 to form a biofilm. Photo-current, which is activated by photosynthesis by applying a light to thefuel cell 300, is provided by direct electron transfer. The oxygen that is released with the photosynthesis on the anode surface is reduced back to the water by thecathode 304, and the photo-current production in thefuel cell 300 is continuously maintained. - Working mechanism of the
fuel cell 100 is also similar to the working mechanism of thefuel cell 300, which is considered as a different embodiment of thefuel cell 100 only for the illustration purpose of the present disclosure. - According to the present disclosure, the
fuel cell 100 supplies continuous electricity more efficiently. Easily available photosynthetic microorganisms are used as a source of the electricity. The electricity produced by thefuel cell 100 can be used in biological systems or as a battery and can be used for various purposes such as for the wearable devices and light-emitting diode device. Thefuel cell 100 includes an ergonomic structure which can be easily assembled. Thefuel cell 100 can be connected in series to increase the power output. Thefuel cell 100, according to the present disclosure, is a high-efficient fuel cell that may come into play with a combination of several components that can be readily obtained. Furthermore, there is no separating membrane used within thefuel cell 100 for the electricity generation. Hence, thefuel cell 100 can be miniaturized or designed in large scale. The photo-current produced based on photosynthesis can bestored and used to power a device. - Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Claims (16)
1: A bio-electrochemical fuel cell, comprising:
an anode;
a cathode;
a first endplate including a central aperture;
a second endplate opposite the first endplate, the second endplate including a central aperture;
a supporting plate between the first endplate and the second endplate, the supporting plate including a central aperture;
at least one first separator plate provided between the first endplate and the cathode;
at least one second separator plate provided between the second endplate and the anode;
at least one third separator plate provided on each side of the supporting plate;
wherein the anode is between the second endplate and the supporting plate;
wherein the cathode is between the first endplate and the supporting plate;
wherein the anode has a first layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme;
wherein a biofilm comprising photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of the first layer of the anode;
wherein the anode, the cathode, the first endplate, the supporting plate, the second endplate and the first, second and third separator plates are connected together to form a fuel cell assembly;
wherein the central aperture of the first endplate receives a flow of water containing the photosynthetic microorganisms;
wherein the central aperture of the second endplate discharges the flow of water; and
wherein application of light to the fuel cell assembly causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at the anode and induces a photo-current in the anode.
2: The fuel cell of claim 1 , having a planar structure.
3: The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell has a hexagonal shape, a reaction chamber having an average interior diameter in a range of 6-200 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-400 cm.
4: The fuel cell of claim 3 , wherein the reaction chamber has an average interior diameter in a range of 6-150 cm, and an average exterior diameter in a range of 10-300 cm.
5: The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first, second and third separator plates is a transparent silicone rubber material.
6: The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises a conductive transparent glass coated with at least one selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, indium tin oxide, titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof.
7: The fuel cell of claim 6 , wherein the anode comprises a conductive transparent glass coated with the indium tin oxide.
8: The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the cathode comprises a carbon material or platinum.
9: The fuel cell of claim 8 , wherein the carbon material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, reduced graphene oxide, graphite, carbon felt, carbon foam, carbon paper, carbon brush, carbon cloth, carbon black, carbon powder, carbon nanofibers, carbon fiber, single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanotube arrays, diamond-coated conductors, glass carbon, mesoporous carbon, uncompressed graphite worms, delaminated purified flake graphite, polycrystalline graphite, and pyrolytic graphite.
10: The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the cathode comprises at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of laccase, cytochrome C oxidase, superoxide dismutase, bilirubin oxidase, and peroxidase.
11: The fuel cell of claim 10 , wherein the cathode has a layer of bilirubin oxidase.
12: The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the photosynthetic microorganism is at least one selected from the group consisting of a diatom, a phytoplankton, green algae, cyanobacteria, and green sulfur bacteria.
13: The fuel cell of claim 12 , wherein the photosynthetic microorganisms are green algae and cyanobacteria
14: A wearable device comprising the fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein:
the fuel cell is electrically connected to a sensor; and
the fuel cell functions as a battery.
15: A light-emitting diode device comprising the fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein:
the fuel cell is electrically connected to a light-emitting diode; and
the fuel cell functions as a battery.
16: A fuel cell assembly, comprising:
2 to 10 of the fuel cells of claim 1 are connected in parallel and/or in series.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/939,504 US20240079624A1 (en) | 2022-09-07 | 2022-09-07 | Bio-electrochemical fuel cell |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/939,504 US20240079624A1 (en) | 2022-09-07 | 2022-09-07 | Bio-electrochemical fuel cell |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20240079624A1 true US20240079624A1 (en) | 2024-03-07 |
Family
ID=90059983
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/939,504 Pending US20240079624A1 (en) | 2022-09-07 | 2022-09-07 | Bio-electrochemical fuel cell |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20240079624A1 (en) |
-
2022
- 2022-09-07 US US17/939,504 patent/US20240079624A1/en active Pending
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
Liu et al. | Cathodic catalysts in bioelectrochemical systems for energy recovery from wastewater | |
Zhao et al. | Nanostructured material-based biofuel cells: recent advances and future prospects | |
Zhang et al. | Enzyme-based biofuel cells for biosensors and in vivo power supply | |
Cosnier et al. | Beyond the hype surrounding biofuel cells: What's the future of enzymatic fuel cells? | |
Cosnier et al. | Recent advances on enzymatic glucose/oxygen and hydrogen/oxygen biofuel cells: Achievements and limitations | |
De Poulpiquet et al. | New trends in enzyme immobilization at nanostructured interfaces for efficient electrocatalysis in biofuel cells | |
Osman et al. | Recent progress and continuing challenges in bio-fuel cells. Part I: Enzymatic cells | |
Mano et al. | A miniature biofuel cell operating at 0.78 V | |
Minteer et al. | New materials for biological fuel cells | |
Campbell et al. | Membrane/mediator-free rechargeable enzymatic biofuel cell utilizing graphene/single-wall carbon nanotube cogel electrodes | |
CA2741560C (en) | Electrodes for use in bacterial fuel cells and bacterial electrolysis cells and bacterial fuel cells and bacterial electrolysis cells employing such electrodes | |
US7615293B2 (en) | Fuel cell electrode with redox catalyst | |
Tawalbeh et al. | The novel advancements of nanomaterials in biofuel cells with a focus on electrodes’ applications | |
EP1947716A1 (en) | Anode for biological power generation and power generation method and device utilizing it | |
Mishra et al. | Nanomaterials based biofuel cells: A review | |
Sharma et al. | Biofuel cell nanodevices | |
Scott et al. | Biological and microbial fuel cells | |
Escalona-Villalpando et al. | Glucose microfluidic fuel cell using air as oxidant | |
JP2012252955A (en) | Enzyme fuel cell | |
Kashyap et al. | Recent developments in enzymatic biofuel cell: Towards implantable integrated micro-devices | |
Jeyaraman et al. | Membranes, immobilization, and protective strategies for enzyme fuel cell stability | |
US20080213631A1 (en) | Hybrid Power Strip | |
Rojas-Carbonell et al. | Hybrid electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction: Integrating enzymatic and non-platinum group metal catalysis | |
US20240079624A1 (en) | Bio-electrochemical fuel cell | |
Bogdanovskaya et al. | Bioelectrocatalytic oxygen reduction by laccase immobilized on various carbon carriers |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: IMAM ABDULRAHMAN BIN FAISAL UNIVERSITY, SAUDI ARABIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CEVIK, EMRE;ANIL, ISMAIL;AGA, OMER;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:061016/0160 Effective date: 20220904 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |